Pressure applied by Riverview High resulted in eight first-quarter Hurricane turnovers and a 20-7 Ram lead. From there, B.J. Ivey’s Riverview team cruised to the 54-32 victory and a berth in Friday night’s Class 8A-District 8 championship.

The top-seeded Rams (19-7) will host North Port, a 75-66 winner over East Lake on Tuesday night for the title.

The story of this one unfolded early as the Hurricanes, losers twice to the Rams during the regular season, committed turnovers on their first three possessions.

Three more soon followed, with the Rams getting buckets from Nick Havener, Austin Walker and Lex Sayre to take the 13-point lead after one quarter. The Hurricanes would finish the game with 20 turnovers.

“We’ve been trying to pressure people and create turnovers,’’ Ivey said, “because when we create turnovers, it leads to easy scoring opportunities for us.’’

The blowout victory allowed Ivey to use his bench. Ten different Rams scored, led by Walker, who had 15 points to go along with nine rebounds.

Havener filled the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals.

Almost as importantly, the 6-foot-8 junior dissuaded the Hurricanes from taking the ball to the bucket, greatly limiting their offensive options.

“Having a kid like Nick Havener is always a positive,’’ Ivey said. “A lot of coaches want a kid like that.’’

A 13-point Ram first-quarter lead became 15 (31-16) at the halftime break. In the third, a 3-pointer by Vic Sinopoli upped the margin to 39-20.

The final period allowed Ivey to use his bench.

Riverview players who scored in the final quarter included Jason Torreno, Jeremiah Henderson and Erick Jaganaath.

Ivey believes his team is playing its best ball of the season.

“We’re definitely peaking at the right time,’’ he said, “and that’s exactly what you want as a coach.’’

Doug Fernandes

Doug Fernandes is an award-winning journalist at the Herald Tribune. He has observed the sports scene in Sarasota since 1987.

Last modified: February 5, 2013
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